The Upper Norwood Joint Library (UNJL) serves a well-defined and diverse local community; a catchment area that encompasses elements of no fewer than 5 local authorities. It is a unique ‘bespoke’ service, managed by its own Joint Committee, which is comprised of four councillors from each of the two boroughs (Croydon and Lambeth) that financially support the library, together with two community representatives. However, uncertainties of funding and governance have persistently plagued the library over many years. The UNJL is effectively a library authority in its own right, setting and implementing its own locally orientated policies, priorities and procedures as an autonomous and cost effective body. It has operated on…

During acrimonious exchanges between Lambeth and Croydon Councillors at the Upper Norwood Joint Library Committee AGM on 30th June 2010, Croydon Cllr Sara Bashford (Selsdon and Ballards and Cabinet member for customer services, culture and sport), with impeccable timing, said Croydon is not trying to control the UNJL committee to implement cuts. Yet, in a letter to his Lambeth counterpart Steve Reed (see below), received on the same day as the Sara Bashford assurances, Croydon Leader Mike Fisher makes ominous reference to Croydon Council formally requesting termination of the 1994 Upper Norwood Joint Library agreement, if the two councils cannot agree how to move forward. The credibility of Croydon is further…

In a remarkable demonstration of solidarity, campaigners fighting for the future of 110-year-old Upper Norwood Library packed the main chamber of the Salvation Army Hall, Westow Street, on Wednesday 30th June 2010 for the AGM of the Upper Norwood Library Joint Committee. Croydon Officer, Solomon Agutu, said that in the absence of a chairman it was custom and convention for an officer to chair a meeting so that a chair could be appointed. Lambeth Councillor Florence Nosegbe said that what was custom and convention was for two local councillors from each borough to be appointed to the UNJL Committee, and that he should not apply custom and convention selectively. Invited…

Latest – May 2010 Last December Bromley Council refused Kingsway International Christian Centre’s (KICC) application to change the planning status of 25 Church Road from entertainment/leisure to place of worship. Since then, the Picture Palace Campaign, which supports the reinstatement of a cinema on the site, has been raising funds in anticipation of an appeal. The deadline for such an appeal of Monday 21 June is now fast approaching. KICC’s planning agent has stated that the church is not going to appeal and has not decided what to do with the building, but is looking into the possibility of turning it into an entertainment venue. The Picture Palace Campaign has…

Following representations from the CPCA, its members and others, the CPCA is reassured by the decision of the Local Public Inquiry Inspector, Alan Novitzky, to transfer the Inquiry into the LDA Masterplan application for Crystal Palace Park from Bromley Civic Centre to the Salvation Army Hall, 58 Westow Street, SE19. The Inquiry is scheduled to begin on Tuesday 7 July and last five weeks: Tuesday – Thursday 10.00am to 1.00pm and 2.00pm to 5.00pm, Friday 10.00am to 1.30pm. (finishing times approximate). Details of the programme schedule and other information can be found on the Inquiry website: www.persona.uk.com/crystalpalace/ The CPCA is continuing to press for the Inquiry to be deferred, to enable proper consideration…